Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe is a comprehensive source of fascinating information on topics related to astronomy and space exploration. It is designed and distributed by DK Multimedia. DK Multimedi a produces interactive software similar to the Eyewitness print format published by Dorling Kindersley.
The PC version which was reviewed consists of a CD ROM and requires a multimedia PC, with 486DX/33MHz or higher microprocessor, 4Mb RAM (8Mb recommended), MPC-compatible double-speed CD-ROM drive and sound card, mouse, SVGA 640 x 480 256 color display (800 x 600 16 bit color display recommended), loudspeakers or headphones, and MicrosoftÆ WindowsÆ version 3.1x or WindowsÆ 95.
I installed Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe on a 486/66 MHz PC running MicrosoftÆ WindowsÆ 3.1 with a 8x CD ROM and 16Mb of memory. My system has a 16 bit soundblaster.
Top of PageEyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe contains so much information that it is difficult to describe it all in a short review. Most of the program consists of the multimedia encyclopedia with topics ranging from astronomy, to the space race , and the history of the study of space from ancient times to the present.
Special features include a "Who's Who" of famous people, a technical manual with information about the technology of space exploration, 3D models of space vehicles, and a quiz which may be played by one or two people.
Top of PageEyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe is accompanied only by brief instructions printed on the case. These instructions do provide all the information that is needed to get started.
Top of PageThe publisher provides no information as to the intended audience for Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe. I recommend it for children in upper elementary school or older. The purpose of Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe is educational. The program could readily supplement units on astronomy, the planets, space exploration, or space technology.
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Graphics, sound, and video combine for a wonderfully entertaining and educational presentation. Most of the encyclopedic entries have an option to hear at least part of the text read. Additional audio clips are provided such as an excerpt from Presid ent Kennedy's "man on the moon" speech and the sounds of Sputnik.
There are several video clips as well including the landing of Apollo11 at Tranquility Base, and Neil Armstrong's first step onto the surface of the moon.
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe has an index and a help feature. It also has a "Back Tracker" which provides a "search history", showing in sequential order which features have been used during the session.
Top of PageEyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe has an excellent interface due to its clarity and consistency. Navigation was very easy. One could learn how to use the program by just sitting down and playing around with it. Buttons and icons ind icate very well their purpose.
Top of PageThere are many, many feature of Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe, which makes this an excellent educational tool, as well as being fun to use. I recommend it for for its outstanding presention of information in a package which takes advantage of the best features of multimedia.
Top of PageOnline Computer Gaming has a featured review of Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe. Dorling Kindersley features Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe on its webpage.
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe was reviewed by Cathy Ormsby ormsby@stic.net, a student at the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Texas at Austin. I was form erly a Youth Services Librarian II with the Loveland Public Library in Loveland, Colorado (1990-1996). I hold a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado (1990) and will earn my MLIS from the University of Texas thi s May (1997).
Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Space and the Universe was reviewed on March 14, 1997.
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